I’m just still in shock to see homes built with 16×8 ( no re-bar ) footings, with 2×4 exterior walls with 1/2” foam sheathing , and not one hurricane strap or clip in the whole house, just 4 10D gun nails in each rafter to the top plate. Also, if these walls do have OSB sheathing it doesn’t overlap the bottom plate down to the sill plate on the first floor , or down to the rim/band joist for the second floor. They just randomly shoot some 10s through the bottom plate into the OSB on the floor. I didn’t get a framing quote because I’m framing it. I thought it would be unprofessional and unfair to give someone a set of plans to bid on when nobody was getting the job and I was just curious to see what I was saving. That is why I asked the question on an open home building forum. I just moved from a hurricane zone which required 24×12 footings with three #5 re-bar minimum, mas quantities of vertical #5 re-bar to tie the tie beam to the footing on the sides of every window and/or door opening and at every corner ect., ect.,. Also , all gables are made of block with re-bar filled concrete rake beams. This is what I went through on my last house. Not to mention truss straps imbedded one foot into the concrete tie beam and sticking out 2 feet. MaybeI should re-phrase my question, ” should I build the way I am accustomed to , or are the local codes really adequate ? No offense taken, 96 1340
Discussion Forum
Discussion Forum
Up Next
Video Shorts
Featured Story
Source control, ventilation, and filtration are the keys to healthy indoor air quality. Dehumidification is important too.
Featured Video
Video: Build a Fireplace, Brick by BrickHighlights
"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.
Replies
sounds like you were moving from a High wind zone 3 to someplace with no code at all
You're right, your questions threw everybody off.
I'm in the process of moving from LI NY to Virginia. Same sort of culture shock. Up north, there's more steel strapping than there is wood, or so it seems. Insurance companies and bureaucrats must own stock in Simpson. In VA, there's one inspector for the county. He does plumbing and electric too. Told me I can draw my own plans as long as there's nothing "unusual". If he doesn't like it, he said I'll need an engineer's stamp.
Get it together and nail it up before they change the rules.
Don K.
EJG Homes Renovations - New Construction - Rentals